House rewiring cost in Sydney
Rewiring is one of the bigger electrical jobs a Sydney home will ever need — and in older suburbs with original wiring, it's often not optional. Here's what full and partial rewiring cost in 2026, the warning signs, and what affects the final price.
Quick answer — house rewiring cost in Sydney
| Scope | Typical Sydney range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Partial rewire (a few circuits, kitchen or specific area) | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Full rewire — small home or apartment (1–2 bedrooms) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Full rewire — larger or heritage home (3+ bedrooms) | $15,000 – $25,000+ |
Why rewiring costs what it does
1. Full versus partial
A partial rewire updates specific circuits — say a kitchen upgrade or a problem area — and is far cheaper. A full rewire replaces all the cabling, switches, outlets and the switchboard throughout the home. The size of the house, number of rooms, and number of power points and lights all scale the price.
2. Access and home age
Older Sydney homes — federation cottages, terraces, double-brick — are harder to rewire because there's no easy cavity to run new cable through. Plaster may need to be cut and patched, floors lifted, or walls chased. Heritage homes add care and time. A modern home with accessible roof and subfloor space is quicker and cheaper.
Where the money goes on a rewire
Rewiring is labour-heavy. The cable itself is a small fraction of the cost; most of the bill is the days of skilled work running new cabling, terminating every point, making good the walls, and testing and certifying the installation. Disruption matters too — you may need to vacate parts of the home, and the job often runs alongside plastering and painting.
Itemised example — full rewire of a 3-bedroom Sydney home
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| New cabling throughout (TPS, runs to all points) | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Power points, switches & fittings | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| New switchboard with RCBOs | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Labour (2 electricians, ~5–8 days) | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Plaster patching & making good | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Testing, certification (CCEW) | Included |
| Total | $13,500 – $27,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Sydney?
A partial rewire of a few circuits typically runs $3,000–$8,000. A full rewire of a small home or apartment is usually $8,000–$15,000, while a larger or heritage home can be $15,000–$25,000 or more, depending on size and access.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Warning signs include flickering lights, frequently tripping breakers, discoloured or warm power points, a burning smell, cloth or rubber-insulated wiring, or only having two-pin outlets. Homes with original wiring from the mid-20th century or earlier often need it.
How long does a full rewire take?
A full rewire of an average Sydney home usually takes five to eight working days, depending on size and access. Heritage homes and difficult cable runs take longer. Partial rewires can often be done in one to two days.
Can I live in my home during a rewire?
Often yes, but with disruption — power will be off in sections at a time, and walls may be opened for cabling. For larger jobs some homeowners choose to vacate to speed the work and avoid the dust from plaster patching.
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